Newbie PC Questions

storm · 03-01-08, 07:47

I have a PC 7424 and have started using it on a black 19-year old F-150 with heavy oxidation - there was no shine - sorta gray looking. Being a newbie, I was nervous about trying to get any shine at all on this vehicle. I started with a polish compound by hand (too slow) and then went to PC with orange pad (I think I should have started with yellow pad). I still didn't feel like it was removing the etched water spotting as it should so I used a rubbing compound by hand with damp applicator. Then polish compound and then used Meg's 3 step system. Step 1 with orange pad, 2 with white pad, and 3 with black pad. I now have reflection in paint. There is still some water spotting, but I have read the how-to's and some say you sometimes have to learn to live with some defects and still have paint.

Now, my questions as to how I'm doing this - it's taking a while and I'm only doing sections at a time.
What is the best speed for products listed above? Is slower better or full speed?

I want to use the PC and pads listed to detail '06 Black Titan. The body looks great and will just need cleaner wax, but the hood has water spotting that I have yet been able to remove by hand. Should I use the same (not rubbing compound) on the Titan?

Someone told me he only uses wool pads for all products? Is this a good thing to do? I read that wool cutting pads should not be used on clear coats. Are there different wool pads or are they all the same?

Is it possible to heat the clearcoat until it wrinkles and then spray with water to smooth it back out? Again, someone told me they had done this - I'm just curious!

Please forgive length of post and questions. I'm trying to learn the best way to detail.
Thanks
Storm

COLDZ71 · 03-02-08, 03:46

First off it would be helpfull to know what compound and polish you are using. These will bring out the gloss in the paint.

The Megs 3 step is pretty much a cleaner wax-glaze combination. There is not much going on as far as correcting the paint. They will make ok toppers once the paint is properly polished.

Foam pads work much better with the PC. Wool pads are generaly used with a rotary polisher.

KnuckleBuckett · 03-02-08, 05:20

Seriously consider using the Meguiars, Optimum, or (my favorite) the Menzerna line. Also consider the EDGE system for the PC pads.

For LSP it's (IMO) hard to beat Ultima PGP. A bottle costs a good bit but goes a looooong way.